The Australian government has issued a warning for computer users to ignore emails purporting to come from Energy Australia with an electricity or gas bill.

The government initiative, Stay Smart Online, issued the high priority warning on Tuesday afternoon, after cases of new Cryptolocker infections were reported by at least one security company.

Cryptolocker is a malicious software program that locks people’s files and demands a ransom to unlock it.

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“The fake EnergyAustralia emails do appear to be quite realistic so you are urged to be cautious,” the warning said.

“The fake emails currently include the salutation, ‘Dear Valued Customer’, and ask you to click on a link to view the details of your bill. If you receive this email, you should simply delete it.”

It said a legitimate email from EnergyAustralia should include a customer’s name and account number.

EnergyAustralia has suggested anyone concerned should contact their customer service centre.

Australian firm The Missing Link told Fairfax Media the new wave of Cryptolocker infections arrived in the country as late as Friday, with highly targeted emails directing recipients to open a power bill from Energy Australia, then follow prompts to download the full bill from a fake website resembling the retailer's.

Missing Link security manager Aaron Bailey said the emails appeared to have been part of a well-crafted mailing list targeting senior managers and executives in small and large businesses.

"The virus seems to deploy Cryptolocker which encrypts files and holds [the clients] to ransom.

"The most distressing thing for me on this later one was that it was customised to a distribution list. Maybe 30 or 40 single recipients and very senior contacts in each company [were sent] an Energy Australia bill - something an Australian would trust, essentially," Mr Bailey said.

Do you know more? Have you been caught? Share your thoughts in the comments.

1 comment so far

Great ... I need to contact this guy ! Energy Australia keep failing to credit my solar inputs credits, it took me 18 months to get an acurate bill out of the the first time, the very next bill dropped them off again ! He may help more than the ombusman ! In fact I'd be willing to give him a cut if he could get it right ! No wonder he can take advantage of EA customers... !!!